Miami Union

November 18, 1871 

MURRAY, (FIRST NAME NOT GIVEN) - Homicide at Pleasant Hill - Pleasant Hill, Nov. 14, 1871 - Ed. Miami Union:--Our quiet little village was thrown into a great state of excitement last Sabbath morning by a report that a man had been murdered in the saloon kept by Robert Seng on Saturday evening.  On inquiring it was learned that some four or five persons were in the saloon drinking when a dispute arose between two of the party and while they were engaged in scuffling, a man named John Cecil picked up a bar of wood, used for fastening the door, and struck one of the men, named Murray, over the head inflicting a wound that caused his death in a few hours.  The murderer was arrested and is now confined in the County jail.  What reasons he may have had for committing this deed, if any, he keeps to himself.  Not an angry word had passed between him and Murray previous to the time he struck him.  Both had sealed their friendship in a glass of liquor a short time before the murder.  The feelings of the citizens were aroused to such a degree that they determined to rid the village of this nuisance.  And pursuant to agreement met at the Town Hall this morning for that purpose.  The meeting was called to order, and J. K. Teeter, was selected as Chairman and S. E. Couch as Secretary.  A committee of five was appointed to draft resolutions to bring before the meeting.  After an interval of a few moments the committee returned and offered the following resolutions which were unanimously adopted:

        FIRST, That the house now kept by Robert Seng is hereby declared to be a nuisance to Pleasant Hill and vicinity.  Therefore be it

              Resolved--That we the citizens of Pleasant Hill and vicinity ask and recommend that the said Robert Seng and Wife do stop the selling of

                             Ale, Beer, Wine, Cider or any intoxicating drinks as a beverage in said village or vicinity.  And be it further

              Resolved--That we do firmly bind ourselves to prosecute any person or persons who may engage hereafter in the sale of intoxicating

                             drinks as a beverage in the village or its vicinity to the full extent of the law.

The above resolutions received the signature of every one present.  A committee of five was appointed to wait upon Mr. Seng and inform him of the action the citizens had taken in regard to his establishment.  The committee was also authorized to purchase what liquor he had on hand and pour it into the street, which they did in a workman like manner.  The citizens are aroused to a sense of duty, and they will not have much sympathy for any one who attempts to sell poison in this community again.                                   S. E. C.

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